P/14/0141/TO
WARSASH
MR STUART JORDAN
AGENT: MR STUART JORDAN
FELL ONE BLUE ATLAS CEDAR PROTECTED BY TPO 557
269 WARSASH ROAD LOCKS HEATH SOUTHAMPTON SO31 9NU
Report By
Paul Johnston - extn.4451
Site Description
This application relates to a tree in the rear garden of a detached property situated on the
west side of Jesmond Grove and north of Warsash Road.
Description of Proposal
Consent is sought to fell one blue atlas cedar protected by TPO 557.
Policies
The following policies apply to this application:
Approved Fareham Borough Core Strategy
CS4 - Green Infrastructure, Biodiversity and Geological Conservation
Fareham Borough Local Plan Review
DG4 - Site Characteristics
Representations
One representation has been received objecting to the works on the basis that the tree is
still worthy of protection notwithstanding the ongoing maintenance it will require.
Planning Considerations - Key Issues
The application cedar tree is situated in the southwest corner of the rear garden of 2
Jesmond Grove approximately 10 metres to the west of the dwelling. There are two other
properties adjacent to the cedar - the applicant's property 269 Warsash Road where the
dwelling is approximately 8 metres to the south of the tree and 2 Locks Road approximately
6 metres to the west of the cedar. The development context comprises large detached
dwellings within spacious plots surrounded by mature trees, which predate the development
by a significant margin and are protected by a tree preservation order.
The existing tree cover is very prominent in the landscape and makes a significant
contribution to the verdant character of the area. The application tree is visible from several
public vantage points: Jesmond Grove to the east, Warsash Road to the south and Locks
Road to the west and makes a significant contribution to local public amenity.
During the exceptionally stormy winter of 2013/14 the cedar shed numerous large branches
during separate storm events. Some of these branches were significant in terms of their
size and were up to 5 metres long and 200mm in diameter. Several of the branches landed
on a shed and garage causing some minor damage to the structures, though no damage
occurred to any dwellings or vehicles and no one was injured as a result. The applicant is
concerned that the tree is inherently unsafe, unsuitable for its position and it's only a matter
of time before some is injured by a falling branch.
The atlas cedar is a large mature specimen approximately 25 metres in height and
positioned close to the dwellings that were constructed around the tree during the early
1960s. The close proximity of the adjacent dwellings to such a large tree species is unusual
and if current standards were applied the tree would be given significantly more space with
dwellings positioned at a far greater distance from the tree itself.
The frequency and intensity of severe gales this winter has been unprecedented and has
led to significant damage to many trees and in some cases complete failure. The
mechanism and type of branch failure on this cedar is not unexpected given the severity of
the wind and the size of tree. There is nothing to suggest that the branch failures were in
some way foreseeable as the tree is healthy and in good overall condition. Notwithstanding
the damage to the tree in the last three months it remains in good condition, with a relatively
well balanced crown and a normal form and appearance, which can be compared with
photographs taken before this winter's storms. Therefore in terms of the cedar's health and
condition the tree poses no undue level of risk and in officers opinion remains an important
and prominent tree that makes a significant contribution to the public amenity and character
of the area.
Tree preservation orders seek to protect trees in the interest of public amenity, therefore it
follows that the removal of a protected tree should only be sanctioned where its public
amenity value is outweighed by other considerations. I acknowledge that the succession of
severe storms during this winter have left many residents feeling anxious and worried about
their safety, particularly in cases like this where large branches have failed.
However, all trees pose some degree of risk, but in this case there is nothing to suggest that
the subject tree poses any undue level of risk following the storms. There are no guarantees
of absolute safety in the event of severe adverse weather conditions, since all assessments
should be undertaken for normal conditions and not try to speculate about what might
happen in the event of severe or abnormal weather events.
To conclude, the reasons given for felling the cedar are not sufficient to justify its removal.
Therefore in the absence of such justification the felling of this tree would be harmful to the
visual amenities and the character of the area and contrary to Policy DG4 of the Fareham
Borough Local Plan Review and CS4 of the adopted Fareham Borough Core Strategy.
Recommendation
REFUSE: Insufficient arboricultural evidence, harmful to visual amenities and character of
the area.